History

USAID established its Mission in Jamaica in 1962, the same year Jamaica became an independent country. Since that time, USAID has been one of the largest bilateral donors to Jamaica, providing more than $1.4 billion (USD). For 60 years, USAID has consistently developed programming in partnership with the Government of Jamaica (GOJ), the private sector, civil society, other stakeholders, and beneficiaries to ensure sustainable development outcomes.  

Historically, U.S. assistance priorities in Jamaica have focused on promoting greater transparency and good governance practices; fostering Jamaican participation in regional security; strengthening basic education; reducing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS; promoting economic prosperity; and decreasing vulnerability to climate change. 

USAID investments helped Jamaica establish or reform institutions that have helped it manage and advance its agricultural sector, trade practices, and systems of higher education, as well as protect the environment, rationalize its tax regime, and address development issues. Examples include: 

• The Jamaica Agricultural Development Foundation;

• The Fair Trading Commission;

• The National Development Foundation of Jamaica;

• The College of Agriculture, Science, and Education;

• The Mona School of Business;

• The Institute of Management and Production;

• The Environmental Foundation of Jamaica;

• Trafalgar Development Bank (Jamaica’s first private development bank);

• Tax Administration Jamaica.

USAID education programs have benefited more than one million Jamaican students, from early childhood to tertiary levels. Assistance has helped Jamaica develop and implement reading and mathematics standards, create benchmarks and assessment tools for Grades 1-3, and incorporate  information and communication technology to improve literacy and mathematics skills. 

Since the early 2000s, USAID has worked with Jamaica to improve citizen safety and security.  USAID investments in more than 100 at-risk areas have focused on creating safe environments where residents and economic opportunities could prosper. USAID has worked with a number of stakeholders to promote entrepreneurship and workforce readiness for at-risk youth, create linkages in various export markets, and provide access to finance for micro, small, and medium enterprises. USAID has partnered with the Jamaica Constabulary Force to implement community policing and improve citizen-police relations and trust. 

USAID has played a key role in supporting greater integration of climate considerations in Jamaica’s economic and social development decision-making. Support for climate-resilient social and economic progress includes: 1) improving climate information; 2) mainstreaming climate resilience and low emission energy approaches in policy and planning; 3) piloting and disseminating risk-reducing management practices; 4) accelerating advanced energy development; and 5) mobilizing climate-related financing. 

Since 2008, USAID, through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has partnered with the Jamaican government and other stakeholders to advance the national response to the HIV epidemic.  Our support helps to ensure that people of all ages, genders, and population groups have equitable access to life-saving HIV prevention and treatment services. Equally important, USAID’s PEPFAR programs strengthen the policies and systems needed to deliver effective, efficient, and sustainable health care (including for HIV) even in times of great public health adversity.

USAID remains dedicated to creating a secure and prosperous future for Jamaica.